Breaking the gloomy and dark atmosphere of increasing crimes against women hovering over our society, a bright silver lining has appeared with the concerns shown by every stakeholders committed for the rights of the women. Even new legislations passed in the last few years definitely deter the perpetrators and make life safer for women. However, the question remains about the fate of those unfortunate victims who had been offended against before these laws became stringent? Were the accused and perpetrators of those crimes to be tried under the lax laws of those times? Why shouldn’t the cases which are still in progress, irrespective of the period in which they were committedbe tried under the new law? And why was the document provided by the high school of the minor accused in the Delhi rape case that triggered the chain of reactions and agitations which ultimately led to the amendments of the existing rape laws in the country, given preference over a medical test as a proof of his age?

Questions that still needs answered in clear and concise terms- a habit alien to those responsible who are used to stressing inane and incoherent aural mutterings asresponses to issues they are incapable of or are unwilling to deal with. There was no dearth of laws to deal with any form of crime or offence in the country to begin with. Judges have been empowered to exercise their judicial knowledge in awarding penalties and sentences within the limits laid down for each section for which the crimes are tried for. They are at liberty to award the harshest punishment permissible for crimes against women – and had they done so consistently , the collective outburst the nation demanded for a change in the laws would have rather been for the speedy and fair implementation and delivery of justice instead, which will be the focus the society and the nation needs to turn on because, after the laws have been amended to everyone’s satisfaction, as if that is possible and done, what of the other arms of the law that is to ensure it’s execution and upkeep? Is a very strict law the only criteria required for a safer society? One hope not- the mind performs through the arms- the judiciary and the executive powers bestowed on the courts of law, the police and the army are to be exercised in the right manner and with due diligence in order for the laws to benefit the general public for which they are framed. Only a well co-ordinated and concerted legal system could ensure a free and ideal society.

Imphal, Feb 13: Armed cadres of militants who are under suspension of operation with the government and also some cadres of NSCN-IM which is presently undergoing peace talk with the government of India are openly collecting illegal taxes from trucks carrying construction materials at Yaingangpokpi area. This was stated by Congress MLA Th. Lokeshwor moving cut motion to the passing of the demand for grant for police department.

The Congress MLA said that these armed militant openly threatened the truck drivers of serious consequences if the amount demanded by them which is not legal is not given to them. The drivers out of fear paid it. Most surprising thing is that these cadres whom identified themselves as cadres of UGs under SOO and NSCN-IM collected the illegal taxes in the close proximity of police station.

MLA Lokeshwor also said that even though the government had stated time and again about the improvement of law and order conditions, people particularly from his constituency (Khundrakpam) now fear as they saw armed gun men in civil dress travelling many times in four wheeler vehicles.

On the other hand the Congress MLA also brought up certain issues of police or paramilitary forces threatening ex cadres of UGs who had surrendered and started normal life by staying at their home.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh while clarifying the cut motion said that so far government had no order issued which allowed security personnel to travel with arms in civil dress. He however said that on some special occasion security sometime needs to go in civil dress. In such case police station were informed.

Regarding the matter of SOO cadres extorting money from truckers, the Chief Minister, who is also in charge of Home said that such matter will be dealt with extra seriousness and appealed members to report either to the DGP or to the government if any such thing happened. The CM also asserted legal action if any persons who are leading normal life are threatened.

Imphal, Feb 13: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh who is also the leader of the house today said that his government is serious about violation of ground rules by cadres of UGs who violates the ground ruled signed between the government and them.

Clarifying to policy cut motion moved by congress MLAs during the passing of the Supplementary grant for Police in today’s assembly session Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who is also in charge of Home said that his government will not tolerate any violation of ground rules by cadres of UGs under SOO.

“Since our government came we have conducted raid at the camp of the UGs under SOO and arrested 26 of them beside seizing weapons which were not supposed to be kept at their camp”, N. Biren said.

He added that this is perhaps the first time that the state police conducted raid to the camps of UGs under suspension of operation.

“The state Police are now authorize to raid camps belonging to UGs which are under suspension of operation”, the Chief Minister said. Biren Singh said that his government is also concern about the rehabilitation of the cadres who had surrendered and come to the main stream.

A new surrenderee policy will come into effect from April 1 this year and this new scheme may be helpful.

Imphal, Feb.13: A 3-Day Leadership Development Programmes for Chairmen/Board Directors of Primary Agricultural Co-operative Society (PACS) and Handloom Cooperative Societies of Manipur State was inaugurated today at the Conference Hall of Institute of Cooperative Management (ICM), Cooperative Complex, Lamphelpat, Imphal. The Programmes which will conclude on 15th February, 2018 is organised by ICM, Imphal under the sponsorship of National Centre for Cooperative Education, NCUI, New Delhi.Speaking as Chief Guest in the inaugural function, Shri H. Rupachandra Singh, IAS, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Government of Manipur said that products with inferior quality and unattractive designs result in lower sales rate and so a product should be customised according to the needs and desire of consumers/buyers emphasising on designs and quality. He also appealed to the Board Directors present in the function to gather knowledge regarding market strategies and uses of internet as a marketing platform which will ensure the sustainability of Cooperative Societies. Citing the importance of the 3 Day programme, Shri L. Tompishak Singh, President, Manipur State Cooperative Union appealed to the Chairmen and Board Directors present to attend the whole training programme and its field visits which would help increase production of their product.
Dr. N. Ranjana Devi, Director, ICM, Imphal in her key note address said that ICM has been organising certain programmes on leadership development in the field of fisheries, dairy, agriculture in the state and the 3 days programme will impart knowledge on qualities and responsibilities of being a leader and Board Director, promotion and sales of product, etc. The programme will also have field visits making certain Self Help Groups aware of the Schemes on how to avail funds and resources, develop its market, access social media, e-commerce and internet as a platform for sales of product.During the programme, eminent Resource Persons will speak on the topics like Role of Chairman/ Board Directors of Handloom Cooperative Societies, Function and qualities of good leader, Promotion & management of Self Help Groups, Marketing Strategies, Maintenance of Accounts for Cooperative Societies, Schemes of Handloom , Innovative Design, Use of Internet/ Social Media, etc. K. Joychandra Singh, Programme Coordinator, ICM and Board Directors and Members of PACS and Handloom Cooperative Societies also attended the inaugural function.

Imphal, Feb 13: The much talk about traffic problem which has been haunting the people for the past few years seems no issues to the state government, as the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh today said that the government is looking for an immediate solution during demand discussion for passing of the supplementary grant for various department under state Home department.“Construction of a ring road or fly over bridge will take time so the state government authority is looking forward to change the school timing and the office timing so that all those working at offices or studying at school don’t have to go at the same timing”, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said while replying to cut motion raised by congress MLAs.The Chief Minister, who is also holding the portfolio of Home Department, further said that there is lack of man power in the traffic police department but added that Home Guard are being utilized for control of traffic. “Traffic problem is a serious concern for the state government”, Chief Minister said but he failed to present the house about the kind of measures that is being taken up by the concern authority who is looking for control of traffic in the state.
“Rise of vehicle is a problem, whether we should enact a legislation to control buying of vehicle by making compulsory that the owner who is buying the vehicle should provide document to prove that he or she had proper parking space”, he added.He however said that the government taking seriously to the problem of traffic had taken up many measures like arresting of around 500 fake license holders and suspension of 10 officials who had issued fake license.The Chief Minister, who is also the leader of the house on one hand blame the people for lack of civic sense giving example of how vehicular movement in Saigang state of Myanmar follow traffic discipline. MLA Govindas, while joining the discussion drew the attention of the Chief Minister about the need for hammering of some stringent measures. MLA Okram Henry put up the cut motion to the passing of the supplementary demand of Rs. 1422,2,12,000/- for police department.

Imphal, Feb 13: The ongoing state Assembly session today passed a total amount of Rs 1834928000 for four departments as supplementary grant after thorough discussion.
The supplementary grant of demand for Police Department passed today is Rs 1422212000/-, for Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department is Rs 39265000/-, Fire Department is Rs 138535000/- and Jail Department is Rs 234916000.

Imphal, Feb 13: Thirteen Disabled Cricket Team including four officials who are to participate in the 11th National Para Cricket Championship for Differently Abled 2018 to be held from 17 February to 19 February, 2018 at Maharashtra (Nagpur) was flagged off today by Konthoujam Joychandra, Vice President IPSA from North A.O.C.

Altogether 16 states are taking part where Manipur is the only state from entire North-East state that has been able to participate in the championship organised by Maharashtra Cricket Association for Disabled under the sponsorship of Indian Cricket Federation for Disabled (ICFD).

Mention may be that every year The Disabled Development Association Manipur (DDAM) have been organising residential coaching for the differently abled persons to promote the name of our state but unfortunately till date state government have fail to provide any form of support for them.

It has been more than seven years that the team have been participating at various events held outside the state without the support of the government but just by donation and contribution by the members of the differently abled persons.

It will not be wrong to say that big changes for the differently abled persons can be brought if the state government are able to give more priority and provide the needs of the differently abled persons.

Mention may be that the 13 players who have left to take part in the championship are from Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Senapati, Kakching, Thoubal and Kangpokpi districts of Manipur.

Imphal, Feb 13: Nine vehicles including three single barrel gun whose license were expire has been picked up during a search operation conducted as a security measures taken up by Imphal East District Police and teams comprising of commando, women police and Porompat Police Station today at Awaching, Khetri Bangoon Mamang Ching Khunou area from 3:30 am to 6:30 am.Altogether 203 persons including 101 female were verified where 21 persons with 10 female who were unable to provide proper documents and identification proof where pick up.Meanwhile, nine vehicles including one Alto car, six bikes, one Honda Active and one Yamaha Dio that doesn’t have proper documents and three single barrel guns whose license were already expire were pick up during the search operation conducted today.
Mention may be that the cordon and search operation was conducted under the command of M Kumarjit Singh, Additional SP/OPS; Robinsun Khamnam, DSP-CDO and Inspector B Lunthang Vaiphei, OC-CDO of Imphal East District.Persons pick up verification and seize vehicles and guns have been handed over to Porompat Police Station for further verification.